Eldepryl is used in combination with levodopa or levodopa and carbidopa combination to treat Parkinson's disease (sometimes called shaking palsy or paralysis agitans). This medicine works to increase and extend the effects of levodopa, and may help to slow the progress of Parkinson's disease.

Eldepryl 5mg

Eldepryl is indicated as an adjunct in the management of Parkinsonian patients being treated with levodopa/carbidopa who exhibit deterioration in the quality of their response to this therapy.

INSTRUCTIONS

Take this medicine only as directed by your doctor. Do not take more of it, do not take it more often, and do not take it for a longer time than your doctor ordered.

It is best to take this medicine before breakfast and without liquids.

If you are using the disintegrating tablet, make sure your hands are dry before you handle the tablet. Do not open the blister pack that contains the tablet until you are ready to take it. Remove the tablet from the blister pack by peeling back the foil, then taking the tablet out. Do not push the tablet through the foil. Do not break or split the tablet. Place the tablet on the top of your tongue, where it will melt quickly. Do not eat food or drink liquids for 5 minutes before or after taking this medicine.

If you miss a dose of this medicine, take it as soon as possible. However, if it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do not double doses.

DOSAGE

The dose of this medicine will be different for different patients. Follow your doctor's orders or the directions on the label. The following information includes only the average doses of this medicine. If your dose is different, do not change it unless your doctor tells you to do so.

The amount of medicine that you take depends on the strength of the medicine. Also, the number of doses you take each day, the time allowed between doses, and the length of time you take the medicine depend on the medical problem for which you are using the medicine.For oral dosage form (tablets): For Parkinson's disease:

Adults—At first, 1.25 milligrams (mg) once a day for at least 6 weeks. After 6 weeks, your doctor may increase your dose to 2.5 mg once a day.

Children—Use and dose must be determined by your doctor. Use and dose must be determined by your doctor.

STORAGE

Store the medicine in a closed container at room temperature, away from heat, moisture, and direct light. Keep from freezing.Keep out of the reach of children.Do not keep outdated medicine or medicine no longer needed.

MORE INFO:

Eldepryl is a levorotatory acetylenic derivative of phenethylamine. It is commonly referred to in the clinical and pharmacological literature as l-deprenyl.

It is very important that your doctor check your progress at regular visits to allow for changes in your dose and to check for any unwanted effects.

Do not take selegiline if you have used meperidine (e.g., Demerol®) or an MAO inhibitor (MAOI) (e.g., isocarboxazid, phenelzine, tranylcypromine, Marplan®, Nardil®, or Parnate®) within the past 14 days. If you do, you may develop agitation, confusion, restlessness, stomach or intestinal symptoms, sudden high body temperature, extremely high blood pressure, or severe convulsions.

Do not take cough medicines (e.g., dextromethorphan, Robitussin®, Pediacare®) or pain medicines (e.g., methadone, propoxyphene, tramadol, Darvon®, Dolophine®, Ultram®) while you are using this medicine. Using these medicines together can cause unwanted effects.

Selegiline may cause serious side effects when used together with some antidepressants. Tell your doctor if you have used amitriptyline, doxepin, fluoxetine, fluvoxamine, nortriptyline, paroxetine, sertraline, Elavil®, Luvox®, Pamelor®, Paxil®, Prozac®, or Zoloft® within the past 14 days.

When selegiline is taken at doses of 10 mg or less per day for the treatment of Parkinson's disease, there are no restrictions on food or beverages you eat or drink. However, the chance exists that dangerous reactions, such as sudden high blood pressure, may occur if doses higher than those used for Parkinson's disease are taken with certain foods, beverages, or other medicines. These foods, beverages, and medicines include:

Foods that have a high tyramine content (most common in foods that are aged or fermented to increase their flavor), such as cheeses; fava or broad bean pods; yeast or meat extracts; smoked or pickled meat, poultry, or fish; fermented sausage (bologna, pepperoni, salami, summer sausage) or other fermented meat; sauerkraut; or any overripe fruit. If a list of these foods and beverages is not given to you, ask your doctor to provide one.

Alcoholic beverages or alcohol-free or reduced-alcohol beer and wine.

Large amounts of caffeine-containing food or beverages such as coffee, tea, cola, or chocolate.

Any other medicine unless approved or prescribed by your doctor. This especially includes nonprescription (over-the-counter [OTC]) medicine, such as that for colds (including nose drops or sprays), cough, asthma, hay fever, and appetite control; “keep awake” products; or products that make you sleepy.

Also, for at least 2 weeks after you stop taking this medicine, these foods, beverages, and other medicines may continue to react with selegiline if it was taken in doses higher than those usually used for Parkinson's disease.

Check with your doctor or hospital emergency room immediately if severe headache, stiff neck, chest pains, fast heartbeat, or nausea and vomiting occur while you are taking this medicine. These may be symptoms of a serious side effect that should have a doctor's attention.

Dizziness, lightheadedness, or fainting may occur, especially when you get up from a lying or sitting position. Getting up slowly may help. If the problem continues or gets worse, check with your doctor.

Selegiline may cause dryness of the mouth. For temporary relief, use sugarless candy or gum, melt bits of ice in your mouth, or use a saliva substitute. However, if your mouth continues to feel dry for more than 2 weeks, check with your medical doctor or dentist. Continuing dryness of the mouth may increase the chance of dental disease, including tooth decay, gum disease, and fungus infections.

It is important that your doctor check your skin for melanoma (tumor) regularly if you have Parkinson's disease.

Do not stop taking this medicine without first checking with your doctor. Your doctor may want you to reduce gradually the amount you are taking before stopping completely.

Hallucinations may occur in some patients. This is more common with elderly patients. If you have hallucinations, check with your doctor.

Some people who have used this medicine had unusual changes in their behavior. Talk with your doctor if you start having problems with gambling or increased sex drive while using this medicine.

Along with its needed effects, a medicine may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.

Check with your doctor immediately if any of the following side effects occur:

More common Chest pain (severe)enlarged pupilsfast or slow heartbeatheadache (severe)increase in unusual movements of the bodyincreased sensitivity of the eyes to lightincreased sweating (possibly with fever or cold, clammy skin)mood or other mental changesnausea and vomiting (severe)stiff or sore neck

Less common or rareBloody or black, tarry stoolsbruisingconvulsions (seizures)decreased urinedifficult or frequent urinationdifficulty with breathingdifficulty with speakingdifficulty with swallowingdizziness or lightheadedness, especially when getting up from a lying or sitting positiondry mouthhallucinations (seeing, hearing, or feeling things that are not there)increased thirstirregular heartbeatlarge, flat, blue, or purplish patches in the skinlip smacking or puckeringloss of appetiteloss of balance controlmuscle pain or crampsnausea or vomitingnumbness or tingling in the hands, feet, or lipspuffing of the cheeksrapid or worm-like movements of the tonguerestlessness or desire to keep movingsevere stomach painshakiness in the legs, arms, hands, or feetshortness of breathswelling of the feet or lower legsswelling or inflammation of the mouthtightness in the chesttrembling or shaking of the hands or feettwisting movements of the bodyuncontrolled chewing movementsuncontrolled movements of the face, neck, back, arms, or legsunusual tiredness or weaknessvomiting of blood or material that looks like coffee groundswheezing

Get emergency help immediately if any of the following symptoms of overdose occur:

Symptoms of overdoseAgitation or irritabilitychest paindifficulty opening the mouth or lockjawdizziness (severe) or faintingfast or irregular pulse (continuing)high feverhigh or low blood pressuresevere spasm where the head and heels are bent backward and the body arched forwardtroubled breathing

Some side effects may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Also, your health care professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects. Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome or if you have any questions about them:

More common Abdominal or stomach paindizziness or feeling faintrunny nosesneezingstuffy nosetrouble with sleeping

Less common or rare Anxietyback or leg painblurred or double visionbody aches or painburning of the lips, mouth, or throatchillsconstipationcoughdiarrheadrowsinessdryness or soreness of the throatfrequent urge to urinateheadacheheartburninability to moveincreased sweatingirritability (temporary)memory problemsnervousnesspounding or fast heartbeatrashred, raised, or itchy skinringing or buzzing in the earsslow or difficult urinationslowed movementstaste changesuncontrolled closing of the eyelidsunusual feeling of well-beingunusual weight lossvoice changes

Other side effects not listed may also occur in some patients. If you notice any other effects, check with your healthcare professional.